Recruitment and Hiring
Austin Community College's Board Policy D-6 recognizes that hiring adjunct faculty can "provide essential services in most instructional areas" and allow the college to remain flexible and provide direct access for students to professionals in their intended fields.
ACC recognizes previous relevant experience in placement of newly-hired adjunct instructors. Every 15 Lecture Equivalent Hours (LEH) at a previous institution qualifies as one year of ACC service. Placement credit is only available in full one year increments.
Department Chairs and Human Resources continuously seek out new adjunct to establish a broad and diverse pool of available instructors for eligibility lists. Special efforts are made to identify adjuncts for "difficult to fill" eligibility lists, introductory level college courses, lists where more than 33% of the adjuncts have taught at the maximum load, lists where exceptions to load limits were granted in the previous year, and lists with insufficient names.
Interviews are granted to any potential adjunct who holds at least a master's degree and 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline. Prior teaching experience or a specialized master's degree may positively affect hiring or placement but will not exclude an applicant from eligibility lists for introductory level courses. Only specific non-introductory courses and specialized skill courses will require supplemental experience or specialized degrees beyond the minimum SACS criteria.
Interviews may include a demonstration of teaching or communication skills and a review of subject area coursework or competency. Newly-hired adjuncts without previous teaching experience shall be assigned a mentor to assist in instructional tasks such as preparation of a syllabus, instructional materials and tests. They will also be observed during their first semester and may be required to observe other faculty on a limited basis.
For more information on the application and hiring process, visit the Office of Human Resources Employment Opportunities page at http://www.austincc.edu/hr/apply/.
Eligibility Lists
Eligibility lists are lists of a possible pool of qualified instructors for a specific course and are created by Department Chairs and certified by the Instructional Dean. Adjunct faculty may qualify for the eligibility list for some courses in their discipline but not for others. The lists are reestablished each semester and in the case of Fall semester, may be used to for Multiple Semester Term Assignment (MSTA) of up to one year in length.
Newly-hired adjunct cannot be placed on an eligibility list without having completed an interview and hiring process, except in the case of a scheduling emergency within 30 days of the start of a semester. In this case, a phone interview may be appropriate.
Information made available through the faculty evaluation process will be used by Department Chairs when making eligibility list placements. For more specific information on the relationship between evaluations and eligibility lists, read the Faculty Evaluation section of this handbook.
Within the eligible list there is the distinction of "highest priority to hire." This category is used to indicate that an instructor is expected to have special effectiveness in teaching a particular course (AR 4.06.003). Previous status in the "highest priority to hire" category or selection as a multiple semester term appointment does not guarantee continued status for those areas or placement on any eligibility list.
Departments must use the "highest priority to hire" category for courses with more than 25 sections. For courses with less than 25 sections the category only needs to be used when needed to:
- meet the scheduling of adjuncts with multiple semester term appointments. These adjuncts should be designated as "highest priority to hire" on at least one list.
- meet the scheduling of adjuncts who were also selected as an instructional associate by the same task force. These adjuncts should be designated as "highest priority to hire" on at least one list.
- assure that specific adjunct members will be selected to teach.
When the "highest priority to hire" is used, at least 25% of the list must be in this category, but no more than 50 % of the list may be in this category.
Only adjunct faculty in the "highest priority to hire" category who meet specified guidelines can be designated as a senior adjunct faculty member.
ISDs may submit requests for high school faculty to be considered for eligibility lists for Early College Start classes.
Related Administrative Rules: |
4.06.001 Administration of Eligibility Lists |
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4.06.002 Staffing of Adjunct Faculty |
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4.06.003 Staffing of Adjunct Faculty |
Appointments
Adjunct faculty members receive appointments on an as-needed basis for direct instruction.
Multiple Semester Term Appointments (MSTA) are available through a competitive selection process open to all adjunct faculty who are on a relevant eligibility list. Terms are either 1) fall and spring semesters or 2) fall, spring and summer semesters and are renewable.
The three types of annual multiple semester term appointments (MSTA) are based on the workload allowed per type:
- MSTA III appointments are for teaching up to the maximum load allowed by Board policy. An adjunct must have already taught a maximum load in any semester by Spring 1999 to be eligible. Renewal is jeopardized if the teaching load falls below the limit for the appointment for more than one semester.
- MSTA II appointments are for teaching a maximum of 5 courses: 2 courses in Fall (8 LEH), 2 in Spring, and 1 in Summer (5.25 LEH) per semester. Adjunct who have taught a maximum load by Spring 1999 are not eligible. Employed industry specialists can receive this type of appointment. Renewal is jeopardized if the teaching load falls below the limit for the appointment for more than one semester. Exceptions are rare and only with approval by the Executive Vice President of Academic, Student and Campus Affairs.
- MSTA I appointments are for teaching a maximum of 3 courses: 1 course (5.25 LEH) each semester. Employed industry specialists can receive this type of appointment. Exceptions are rare and only with approval by the Executive Vice President of Academic, Student and Campus Affairs.
Department Chairs make the appointments and primarily use information from the faculty evaluation process but may also request a direct interview or alternative process.
By year 2002, the number of multiple semester term appointments shall equal at least one-half of all adjuncts hired in the fall term of the previous year. At least two-thirds of multiple semester term appointments will be set aside for adjuncts who have taught less than the maximum course load. The percentage will vary by task force or program area.
Workload
Board Policy D-3(c) stipulates that adjunct faculty are generally not permitted to have workloads in excess of 9 credit hours or 11 lecture equivalent hours (LEH) per week. Course-based compensation covers direct instruction, course preparation, grading and at least one office hour per course per week. Any duties or service beyond instructional areas shall be compensated separately.
Only adjunct faculty who have taught above 8 LEH prior to the Summer of 1999 are permitted to exceed 8 LEH in any Fall or Spring and 5.25 LEH in Summer. Any exception to this must receive the recommendation of the Instructional Dean responsible for staffing and the approval of the Executive Vice President of Academic, Student and Campus Affairs.
Read the full board policy at http://www.austincc.edu/board/policies/D3.htm.
Scheduling
Austin Community College uses an online preference system, eStaffing, where adjunct instructors can record assignment preferences for campus, terms, days, times and sections. Department Chairs, with final approval by Deans, use the estaffing information to assign adjunct faculty to specific sections. The Department Chairs will:
- Use the established eligibility lists and, as outlined in AR 4.06.005, adhere to the following order of priority when assigning sections:
- adjuncts on a multiple semester term appointment (MSTA) who are also on the "highest priority to hire" list and have "senior adjunct faculty status"
- adjuncts on a MSTA who are also on the "highest priority to hire" list
- adjuncts on the "highest priority to hire" list and have "senior adjunct faculty status
- adjuncts on the "highest priority to hire" list
- all others in equitable manner, without consideration for "senior adjunct faculty status"
- when a course is canceled:
- adjuncts on a MSTA are rescheduled before any other,
- adjuncts on the "highest priority to hire" list receive another section assignment by displacing an adjunct not on the "highest priority to hire" list
- Rely upon the adjunct faculty evaluation process to determine an adjunct's effectiveness to each a specific course.
- Use adjunct faculty preference information gathered through eStaffing as further outlined in AR 4.06.004.
- Avoid scheduling adjuncts on the "highest priority to hire" list into "marginal" sections or sections with a substantial chance of cancellation.
- Schedule within the load limits as outlined in AR 4.03.002
- Refrain from providing "exception" assignments prior to 30 days before the beginning of the semester.
Appeals may be submitted in writing to the relevant Instructional Dean. The appeal must state which rule the faculty believes was violated in the staffing process.
| Related Administrative Rules: |
4.06.004 Placement Credit for Adjunct Faculty |
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4.06.005 Review of Use of Adjunct Faculty |
Adjunct Faculty Association (AFA)
All adjunct faculty are automatically members of the Adjunct Faculty Association and are encouraged to participate in working on issues of concern. There are no dues to participate in the AFA. Each campus has two elected representatives who serve on the Executive Council of the AFA. For more information, visit the Adjunct Faculty website at http://www.austincc.edu/afa.
Adjunct Faculty Participation at ACC
There are four primary avenues through which adjunct faculty may be involved in the College:
- The campus administrative structure which allows direct communication with administrators;
- Instructional Departments or advisory committees, which allow for input regarding curricular matters and pays a stipend for service;
- Adjunct Faculty Association; and
- Campus and district newsletters which inform all employees of current events within the College.
Summary of Responsibilities
Adjunct faculty must:
- Sign the Adjunct Faculty Agreement and designate "home campus." The home campus is where faculty paychecks will be sent.
- Comply with all approved course guidelines, texts, policies, and procedures provided through the Department Chair, College Catalog, or other official source.
- Obtain administrative memos, attendance sheets, and other materials from the Campus Administrative Office or the Site Supervisor's Office.
- Distribute course information sheet and syllabus to all students which clearly state course objectives, requirements, assignments as well as grading criteria. (Department Chair may furnish these to faculty if a standard syllabus is used.) One copy of the syllabus must be submitted to Department Chair if a standard syllabus is not used.
- Adequately prepare for every class with the knowledge and materials required to teach the class. Class activities will be conducted in such a manner as to communicate effectively with the majority of students in the classroom (explanation of contents, answering of questions, lecturing, etc.).
- Use examinations and/or other instruments which measure specific learning objectives.
- Maintain accurate attendance and progress records. These are crucial to both the students and the College particularly when resolving grade and/or course progress disputes between students and faculty members.
- Check their mailboxes before each class. This will allow the faculty member to receive information pertinent to the class or to students prior to conducting the class. It is also a good idea to check mailboxes after class in the event personal messages are taken while class is in progress.
- Teach assigned class(es) at location and time assigned, with the established text and other supplementary materials.
- Meet classes at the prescribed time, and for the duration of scheduled time; exceptions must be approved by supervisor.
- Post and maintain required office hour(s) per each section taught.
- Participate in required College orientation/instructional development meeting(s) as notified, and in the official process of the evaluation of instruction.
- Assist in maintaining effective laboratories and equipment and/or in the coordination of clinical and field experiences (if appropriate).
- Meet all College timelines for submitting student records, as well as personnel/employment records as notified.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, colleagues and supervisor
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